Chapter 16
Gradel
"Did you find her?" I barked amidst my agitation, even my father knew better than to interfere with my ceaseless pacing in his chamber.
"No, Prince Gradel, but I assure you that our sentinels are presently combing through the woods to find her and they will-" Hegar responded while I sent him a murderous glare.
His response further infuriated me, but it wasn't just his baseless reply, it was the confusion that accompanied my reaction towards Iris's escape.
My wolf was restless, snarling incessantly so I couldn't relax as well. I should be happy that she had made good use of her brains and ran away to save both of us from the stress of being mates, but my wolf didn't share in the relief.
"Will they find her the same way they failed to find my bracelet, Hegar?" I snapped. "That woman is alone in the woods where the rogues can feed on her vulnerability and harm her and you're busy trying to assure me that she would be found?"
He inclined his head, his shoulders straightened. "I'm so sorry, Prince Gradel-"
"Get out!" I snapped.
He bowed and left the room together with the other guards and then I drew in a deep breath to stop myself from acting irrationally.
"I thought you didn't like her, why are you reacting this way?" Father asked, his voice taunting and filled with sarcasm.
"You shouldn't have done what you did. I asked you to allow me to take care of the situation, now she has run away and the guards are unable to find her. I'd have you know that if Hegar returns without finding her, I'll go into those woods and find her myself then punish her for putting me through this stress." I lashed out.
Father chuckled and rose to his feet. It surprised me that he was still calm despite everything. I was usually the calm one, the son who acted with a clear head, but there was something about Iris that rattled me and with each passing second, I was getting more convinced that she was my mate.
How could that be possible?
"Look, son, that woman isn't worth your energy. She's a shameless thief who ran away without taking responsibility for her crimes..."
The scowl that appeared on my face caused my father to shut his lips at once. My wolf growled, begging to be let out so that he could tear apart anyone who insulted our... mate, including my father.
I schooled my face into a mask of calmness that was very deceptive. No one, not even my father could decipher what I was thinking.
"You shouldn't speak about her like that. I'm the victim here and the only one with the right to call her names. Do you understand, father?"
"And I won't have you speak to me disrespectfully, Gradel. That woman, whom you think is your mate doesn't deserve you. She could be a distraction sent by the moon goddess so that we won't go on this war and I don't want us to lose." His voice cracked as he paused and shook his head like he cared about the pack.
"Well, Father, you're not just cunning, you're also selfish. I guess the reason you watched Mom die was because she was never your mate. You only care about yourself and how the actions of others benefit you." My claws were already beginning to stretch and I was surprised at the kind of hatred I had for my father.
His eyes widened as he staggered in shock. "Who told you that?" He whispered.
"You don't need to know, all I want you to do is to stay away from me. I'll fight with you for the sake of the pack but after we win, I'll return to the human world and cut all ties with you." I informed him.
"A-And what about your mate?" He stuttered.
I smirked and shrugged. "That is none of your business."
**********
It was late in the evening already and the tension that had built up because of Iris's disappearance doubled, even the short run I took after leaving my father's chambers didn't assuage it.
I scrutinized my black boot meticulously and then put it on in readiness for the search. Iris hadn't been found yet and just like I promised my father, I would look for her and decide what to do to her.
The images of how surprised she had been when she realized that we were mates flashed in my head. She wasn't even happy as I thought she would have been.
It was amusing that after kissing her the previous day, she took on my scent and became my mate.
Having a mate was the last thing I wanted.
It would come in between my plans and prevent me from returning to the human world where I would be free, so the only option left was to reject her after ensuring her safety.
A knock sounded on my door, interrupting me from my train of thought. Knowing it would be no one else but Hegar who I'd asked to wait for me, I fixed the last button of my shirt and came outside.
"We are leaving now," I said.
"Yes, Prince, but before we leave, I have a letter for you."
My eyes narrowed in slits as I received the white envelope he held out to me. "Who sent it?"
"We don't know, but it was directed to you." He replied and I tore the envelope into shreds and the paper fell off.
I picked it up and read the content but for the first in a long time, I was overcome with horror. "Where is the Alpha?" My voice quivered.
"He went out for a walk an hour ago and I don't think he'll be returning any time soon. What's the matter, Prince Gradel?" He asked worriedly.
I slapped the paper on his chest and matched towards the courtyard while he followed behind me. "Send out men to my father. Tell him to return home because it's all a trap. The Red Sea pack kidnapped Iris to get to us and we are about to go to war."